What we're reading this week | The #FridayFive
Boston’s Environment Commissioner Talks Climate Resiliency for North End / Downtown
NorthEndWaterfront.com, March 21, by Matt Conti
"Chris Cook, chief of environment, energy and open spaces, for the City of Boston spoke to residents regarding the 2019 resiliency study for the North End and Downtown waterfront." [READ MORE]
‘Floating Restaurant’ On Tall Ship Planned For Charlestown Navy Yard
WBZ, March 19
The Boston Planning & Development Agency has approved three ventures that will operate on a trial basis from May-October on the Boston waterfront: A 245ft long "floating restaurant"; an outdoor gathering space, with beer and wine service, for exercise classes, movie nights, and family programs; and U.S.S. Constitution Museum outdoor programming on the new Dry Dock #2. [READ MORE]
Green and Gray Infrastructure More Powerful When They Work Together, Says New Report
World Bank, March 21, Press release
"A new generation of infrastructure projects that harness the power of nature can help achieve development goals, including water security and climate resilience, according to a new report from the World Bank and World Resources Institute. Both organizations are calling for green infrastructure, such as mangroves and wetlands, to play a bigger role in traditional infrastructure planning." [READ MORE]
As coastal flooding surges, ‘living shorelines’ seen as the answer
Thefern.org, March 19, by Rowan Jacobsen
"On August 27, 2011, Hurricane Irene crashed into North Carolina, eviscerating the Outer Banks...After the storm, a young ecologist then at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill named Rachel K. Gittman decided to survey the affected areas...Along the hard-hit shorelines, three quarters of the bulkheads—typically concrete walls about two meters high that are the standard homeowner defense against the sea in many parts of the country—were damaged. Yet none of the natural marsh shorelines were impaired. The marshes, which extended 10 to 40 meters from the shore, had lost no sediment or elevation from Irene." [READ MORE]
Harvard Museum of Natural History exhibit explores how to combat climate change
Wicked Local March 19, by Jody Feinberg
"The exhibit, subtitled 'Our Global Experiment,' establishes the truth and impact of climate change, but also asks “What can be done?” and presents some promising technological innovations and policy initiatives." [READ MORE]